MLB Postseason Thursday October 8, 2009

[huh?]

<table width="750" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="6"><a name="20091007"></a>Wednesday, October 7, 2009</td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="36%">RESULT</td><td width="17%">WIN</td><td width="17%">LOSS</td><td width="17%">SAVE</td><td>ATT.</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-27 team-10-22"><td><a href="/mlb/boxscore?gameId=291007122">at Philadelphia 5, Colorado 1</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5353">Lee</a> (1-0) </td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28625">Jimenez</a> (0-1) </td><td></td><td colspan="2">46,452</td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-9 team-10-10"><td><a href="/mlb/boxscore?gameId=291007110">at NY Yankees 7, Minnesota 2</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4553">Sabathia</a> (1-0) </td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28960">Duensing</a> (0-1) </td><td></td><td colspan="2">49,464</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-24 team-10-19"><td><a href="/mlb/boxscore?gameId=291007119">at LA Dodgers 5, St. Louis 3</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4039">Weaver</a> (1-0) </td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3610">Carpenter</a> (0-1) </td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6370">Broxton</a> (1) </td><td colspan="2">56,000</td></tr></table><table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"></table><table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"></table><table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="6"><a name="20091008"></a>Thursday, October 8, 2009</td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="30%">TEAMS</td><td align="right" width="12%">TIME (ET)</td><td width="10%">NAT TV</td><td width="12%">XM RADIO</td><td width="10%">RESOURCES</td><td width="30%">PITCHERS</td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-27 team-10-22"><td><a href="/mlb/preview?gameId=291008122">Colorado at Philadelphia</a></td><td align="right">2:37 PM</td><td>TBS</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td><a href="http://www.stubhub.com/mlb-tickets/philadelphia-phillies-tickets/" onclick="this.href=this.href+'?gcid=C12289x450&gtkw=Philadelphia+Phillies'" title="Philadelphia Phillies Tickets">Tickets</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;92999071;16443180;q?http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/cities/index?city=philadelphia&startDate=20091008">Travel</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="/travel/stadium/index?venue=mlb_22">Stadium</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4762">Cook</a> vs <a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6216">Hamels</a></td></tr><tr class="evenrow team-10-24 team-10-19"><td><a href="/mlb/preview?gameId=291008119">St. Louis at LA Dodgers</a></td><td align="right">6:07 PM</td><td>TBS</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td><a href="http://www.stubhub.com/mlb-tickets/los-angeles-dodgers-tickets/" onclick="this.href=this.href+'?gcid=C12289x450&gtkw=Los+Angeles+Dodgers'" title="Los Angeles Dodgers Tickets">Tickets</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;92999071;16443180;q?http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/cities/index?city=los-angeles&startDate=20091008">Travel</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="/travel/stadium/index?venue=mlb_19">Stadium</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5403">Wainwright</a> vs <a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28963">Kershaw</a></td></tr><tr class="oddrow team-10-2 team-10-3"><td><a href="/mlb/preview?gameId=291008103">Boston at LA Angels</a></td><td align="right">9:37 PM</td><td>TBS</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td><a href="http://www.stubhub.com/mlb-tickets/los-angeles-angels-tickets/" onclick="this.href=this.href+'?gcid=C12289x450&gtkw=Los+Angeles+Angels'" title="Los Angeles Angels Tickets">Tickets</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;92999071;16443180;q?http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/cities/index?city=los-angeles&startDate=20091008">Travel</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="/travel/stadium/index?venue=mlb_3">Stadium</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28487">Lester</a> vs <a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5203">Lackey</a></td></tr></table>

[B.A.]

Hopefully, Wainwright helps the Cardinals pull their heads out of their asses. :beer:

[huh?]

Division Series Status:

AL
NY - 1
MN- 0

BOS- 0
LAA- 0

NL

PH- 1
CO- 0

LAD- 1
STL- 0

[coli]

If Hammels can pitch like he did last playoffs, along with Lee pitching a complete game yesterday, the Phils will be tough to beat in a 7 game series. Although the X-factor is the bullpen, IMO.

[cardsfan111]

At least last night the Cards proved they could hit left-handers. Still can't score off of 'em though... :(

Need Wainwright to come through in a big way tonight.

[dsa_shea]

The Cardinals offense needs to get the sticks out of their asses. We have been seeing this crummy play for the past month. I have no idea why they thought they would be able to just turn it on in game one. If the bats don't get moving today then they will be 3 and done as I can't see Pineiro being the saviour.

[The Bus]

I hope the regional sports team bests the non-regional sports team in athletic competition!

[cardsfan111]

The Rockies showing some life this afternoon in Philly.

[whotony]

Phils are playing stupid today.

I don't get what Manuel is doing with his pitchers.

he used the next two starters and now Happ is hurt, this looks like it's blowing up on them.

[nickdawgy]

Here's to hoping the Angels not only win, but win convincingly. Stop letting Boston walk all over you guys in the post season.

[cardsfan111]

I have nothing against the Phils, but I'm glad to see Jimmy Rollins continue his offensive struggles. After what he did to my fantasy baseball team this summer, he's dropped way down on my list of favorite players. :D

[cardsfan111]

Following the Col-Phi game with ESPN GameCast...it indicates Matt Stairs drew a 9th inning walk and C Lee went in as a pinch runner. Did Manuel really send his #1 starter in as a pinch runner representing the tying run in the 9th inning? Is there another C Lee on the roster I don't know about?

[LickTheABCs]

^ nope.

That's Charlie for you.

[cardsfan111]

^ nope.

That's Charlie for you.

Strange move, for sure.



Matt Holliday with a 2nd inning home run getting the Cards on the board! :up:

[B.A.]

Holliday took the bat off of his shoulder during his first at-bat. :beer:



Nice win, Rocks. :up:

[wirefan]

I'm guessing that Manuel was thinking 1 inning of work is like a bullpen session for the starters? (I think Torre did this with Pettitte once or twice with the Yankees) Maybe he's going Pedro in game 3?

And he had no position players left (other than the backup catcher) so I guess he thought Lee (an AL ptcher with minimal experience running the bases) was a better option then Stairs? I don't know - this is a guy who said "Lidge is my closer" and then the same day pulled Lidge from a closer situation...

Batting Gonzalez leadoff despite the lefty-lefty thing turned out to be a real nice move by the Rockies. Phillies fans better not hope this comes down to a battle of wits and strategy or they'll be in trouble.

[starman9000]

What are the big stories ESPN will be fawning over as far as non-important grudges go?

You have the potential for Torre vs Yanks, Manny vs Sox, Holliday vs Rockies, Lee vs Sabathia, Tex vs LAA, and maybe even Hunter vs MN. Anybody else? (Damon vs Sox I suppose doesn't matter)

[cardsfan111]

Cards reclaim the lead in the 7th against the Dodgers. :up:

Surprised the Kershaw hit for himself in the 6th and came out to start the 7th. His pitch count was near 100 and with the Dodgers bullpen being their primary strength and the off day tomorrow, it seemed as if Kershaw would have been on a shorter leash.

[Deftones]

gogogo Cards. :up:

[Deftones]

ouch for Molina. hope he's ok.

[cardsfan111]

^ What happened? The disadvantages to following the game online...

[cardsfan111]

With the way Franklin finished the year and the need for a win today, it may be a good idea for LaRussa to let Wainwright attempt to finish this one. A few more runs sure would help.

[Deftones]

^ What happened? The disadvantages to following the game online...

manny's backswing crunched him right on the back of the catcher's helmet. he was ok, but looked pretty bad.

[cardsfan111]

Joe Torre has obviously decided he's going to do everything within his power to keep Pujols from beating the Dodgers. They've put him on base multiples times already this series and now they bring in Broxton to face him in the 8th.

[Goat3001]

Cards making this interesting

[KingSmoth]

Holliday may have just killed this game...

[B.A.]

Holliday may have just killed this game...'twas Duncan-esque.

[Goat3001]

Well it looks like Oakland got the better end of that trade. ;)

[KingSmoth]

Franklin held the pooch while Holliday screwed it

[Goat3001]

You can blame the loss on Holliday but it's not like Ryan Franklin really picked his teammate up.

[cardsfan111]

I go back to my point before....Wainwright has to be given the chance to finish the game. Sure, Franklin wouldn't have been in the spot without Holliday screwing up, but he's proven to be unreliable of late. :(

[B.A.]

I want to punch both them in the dick.

Franklin has been worthless for six weeks - that's what we get for throwing him out there.

[dsa_shea]

Series and season is over for the Cardinals. Pineiro will give up 4-6 runs and the Cardinals offense will continue to fail to produce = season over.

[cardsfan111]

I still feel the Cards are in this series. You hate to have your must-win games in the hands of Pineiro and Smoltz (my preference over Lohse), but at least they'll be at home. The Dodgers haven't overwhelmed the Cards in these first 2 games by any stretch of the imagination.

[Deftones]

wow, brutal loss for STL. At least they can hope to go back home and win 2 and force a game 5.

[JumpCutz]

Holliday's reaction: chew sunflower seeds and a :shrug:

[B.A.]

I still feel the Cards are in this series. You hate to have your must-win games in the hands of Pineiro and Smoltz (my preference over Lohse), but at least they'll be at home. The Dodgers haven't overwhelmed the Cards in these first 2 games by any stretch of the imagination.
They're fucked.

The offense is MIA. The bench is comprised of the likes of Troy Glaus and Rick Ankiel. And Ryan Franklin is bringing up the rear in the bullpen.

[fumanstan]

:banana: Didn't get to catch the game because of work, but glad the Dodgers won.

[cardsfan111]

Ever the optimist, I just checked the weather forecast hoping I'd see steady rain all weekend and maybe we could get Carpenter & Wainwright back out there.

However, it appears it will be sunny. :(

[wirefan]

Lost in all of this is the boneheaded baserunning by Rasmus getting thrown out at 3rd by a mile with no out. It would have been an insurance run and the Holliday error may not have been so devastating.

And I gotta think Carpenter is going in Game 4 (if there is one), this would also allow them to bring back Wainwright for a potential game 5 on normal rest.

[dsa_shea]

I would like to think we will see a game four but I'm not holding out hope with a struggling Pineiro on the mound and an impotent offense to boot. Hell, the last time the Cardinals were at Busch they were swept by the Brewers. Might as well throw out Wellemeyer for multiple innings while waving his white douchebag around.

[nickdawgy]

I remember the days when Vlad coming up to bat actually meant something. Or when the Angels remembered how to hit with the bases loaded.

[Setzer]

I remember the days when Vlad coming up to bat actually meant something. Or when the Angels remembered how to hit with the bases loaded.

Yep. So happy he's a free agent and most likely not coming back.

[nickdawgy]

I like him, but yeah he's pretty much a sure out unless the Angels are ahead. Then he might homer or drive in a run.

[cardsfan111]

Lost in all of this is the boneheaded baserunning by Rasmus getting thrown out at 3rd by a mile with no out. It would have been an insurance run and the Holliday error may not have been so devastating.

And I gotta think Carpenter is going in Game 4 (if there is one), this would also allow them to bring back Wainwright for a potential game 5 on normal rest.

Definitely not a good baserunning play by Rasmus. He did encounter a little bad luck in that the relay throw in (believe it was from Furcal) was so off line. If it had been more on target, I think there a chance the cut off man lets it go through.

Just sat through the highlights and you can't have a more sour taste in your mouth losing like that. To completely give away a game in the postseason in this fashion is unreal.

You may be right on Carpenter. Guess it's not worth thinking about unless they can take Game 3. I have a hunch St. Louis will finally string some hits together on Saturday and score some runs. Then again, I honestly had no doubt they'd win today.

[nickdawgy]

Huge shot by Torii :up:

[KingSmoth]

Maybe it was the groggy state I was in(considering I woke up and caught the swing of the bat), but yeah, that seemed like an epic blast by Hunter, fans and team going crazy. I think this is the year the Angels bring the pain to Boston.

[KingSmoth]

Terrible call against Boston, let's see if it works against them. Of course, Lowell took all the time in the world on that play and still made a bad throw.

[nickdawgy]

Real bush league move by Rameriz throwing at Torii.

[zuffy]

He's a dumb fuck if he really try to hit Hunter with 1 on, no out and your team down by 3.

[mgbfan]

Holliday's reaction: chew sunflower seeds and a :shrug:

What's he supposed to do? Bash his head into a wall? Punch a cooler? He fucked up, and he's dealing with it.

[nickdawgy]

It had to be intentional. He homered before, and it was the first pitch to him.

[zuffy]

If that is the case, some vet players or Terry are gonna chew his ass out.

[wirefan]

It had to be intentional. He homered before, and it was the first pitch to him.

Unless his middle name is "Padilla" it seems like not the best time to retaliate - generally none on, or 2 out is a better situation, especially trailing by just 3.

[davidh777]

We'll see what happens with the Cardinals in the next game. As a Cubs fan, I shed no tears for the Redbirds, but I feel for the Cards fans because it's like what we went through the last couple years. Not out of it yet, though.

[Setzer]

Angels with the game 1 win!! :)

Lackey pitched great and Torii with a huge homer. Now lets get tomorrow night too!

[Aphex Twin]

What are the big stories ESPN will be fawning over as far as non-important grudges go?

You have the potential for Torre vs Yanks, Manny vs Sox, Holliday vs Rockies, Lee vs Sabathia, Tex vs LAA, and maybe even Hunter vs MN. Anybody else? (Damon vs Sox I suppose doesn't matter)

-The battle for LA: Dodgers vs. Angels
-Bowa vs. Phillies
-Honeycutt vs. La Russa
-Abreu vs. Yankees
-Jim Tracy vs. Dodgers

Other stories: Manny and Thome winning a championship together.

[starman9000]

Oh yeah, I forgot about Abreau too.

Man, it'd be great to still have Hunter. :(

[Qui Gon Jim]

Unless his middle name is "Padilla" it seems like not the best time to retaliate - generally none on, or 2 out is a better situation, especially trailing by just 3.

Exactly. That was not intentional.

The Sox looked like shit last night. I wonder if Terry knows that there are only a few more "Get Em' Tomorrow"'s available to him.

Bad. Bad. Bad.

[Aphex Twin]

You guys can watch the Dodgers 9th inning of Thursday game with Vin Scully calling it here: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7028745

Well worth the watch/listen

[cardsfan111]

You guys can watch the Dodgers 9th inning of Thursday game with Vin Scully calling it here: http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7028745

Well worth the watch/listen

Ugh! My love for Vin Scully led me to click on the link and I had to re-live the whole inning again.

Some reflections on the call:

I must admit, I was forced to smile when Scully said "the ball hits Holliday right in the groin. Hopefully, he was wearing a cup. You talk about a painful error..."

Scully showing his age a bit when Blake's check swing is called a strike and he goes on and on about Blake doesn't show any reaction to the strike, instead just stepping out of the box (all this while the replay shows Blake waving his arm at the first base ump and he's clearly agitated).

A Cardinal was quoted after the game saying Holliday was probably distracted by all the white towels being waved in the stands. However, with 2 outs and no one on base, the crowd wasn't heard at all until the drop...I don't think there was any towel waving going on. Of course, Holliday said nothing about the towels.

[fumanstan]

Ugh! My love for Vin Scully led me to click on the link and I had to re-live the whole inning again.

Some reflections on the call:

I must admit, I was forced to smile when Scully said "the ball hits Holliday right in the groin. Hopefully, he was wearing a cup. You talk about a painful error..."

Scully showing his age a bit when Blake's check swing is called a strike and he goes on and on about Blake doesn't show any reaction to the strike, instead just stepping out of the box (all this while the replay shows Blake waving his arm at the first base ump and he's clearly agitated).

A Cardinal was quoted after the game saying Holliday was probably distracted by all the white towels being waved in the stands. However, with 2 outs and no one on base, the crowd wasn't heard at all until the drop...I don't think there was any towel waving going on. Of course, Holliday said nothing about the towels.

Yeah, I think it was Wainwright. He has a point about the towels, but it probably wasn't an issue, just the lights causing some random fluke drop that comes up once in awhile.

My friend just sent me this - :sad:

http://deadspin.com/5378102/the-bitter-tears-of-the-best-fans-in-baseball

[Aphex Twin]

Oh yeah, I forgot about Abreau too.

Man, it'd be great to still have Hunter. :(

I forgot one of the biggest stories they could make...

Mike Scioscia, Mickey Hatcher, and Alfredo Griffin vs. the Dodgers

[dvd-4-life]

Nice home town scoring on the definite Youkilis error at first base. No wonder he has the consecutive errorless streak. Maybe MLB should hire official scorers instead of using local newspaper men.

[Aphex Twin]

-The battle for LA: Dodgers vs. Angels
-Bowa vs. Phillies
-Honeycutt vs. La Russa
-Abreu vs. Yankees
-Jim Tracy vs. Dodgers

Other stories: Manny and Thome winning a championship together.

One more: Don Mattingly vs. The Yankees and Girardi

[Aphex Twin]

More for the Phillies vs. Dodgers:

Wolf, Thome, Padilla vs. The Phillies
Werth, Pedro vs. The Dodgers

[Goat3001]

The potential Manny vs. Pedro match should be exciting.